San Beda tries to formalize its entry in the Final Four when it takes on San Sebastian College in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 seniors basketball tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Unbeaten in 12 games, the Red Lions would mathematically earn a spot in the semifinals if they hurdle the Stags (7-4 won-lost) at 12 noon and the Letran Knights (8-4) beat the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (6-5) at 2 p.m.
If the defending champion Red Lions beat the Stags, it would be their 13th straight Final Four appearance.
Coach Boyet Fernandez, however, isn’t pleased with just a plain semifinals spot.
“I’m telling my boys that we haven’t achieved anything yet. We still have to win more games because we want to get in the top 2 for the twice-to-beat advantage [in the semifinals],” Fernandez said.
The Red Lions made quick work of the Jose Rizal University Bombers, 65-47, last Thursday.
Most Valuable Player front-runner Calvin Oftana, James Canlas and Cameroonian Donald Tankoua are expected anew to deliver the goods for San Beda.
Coach Egay Macaraya, on the other hand, has Allyn Bulanadi as his main man alongside RK Ilagan, Alvin Capobres and JM Calma.
The Stags bowed to the Knights, 82-99, last Friday to slip to their fourth loss for solo fourth spot in the standings.
Letran, meanwhile, tries to stay in afloat in the tight race for a Final Four seat when it battles Saint Benilde.
“We treat every game like a championship game,” Letran Coach Bonnie Tan said after their recent victory that blew off the memory of a double-overtime loss to Mapùa on September 13.
Mapùa (5-6) and Arellano University (3-9) clash in the third game at 4 p.m.
